Bibliography: Books: Amusement Park History

This bibliography covers books which may be useful in researching theme parks, amusement parks, and related subjects. Some of these books are available from the publisher or your favorite bookstore, while others are out of print but may still possibly be obtained through a used book dealer or from your library (in stock or through interlibrary loan). When possible a link has been provided to Amazon.com where you may check availability and order the book directly.

Bush, Lee O. and Hershey, Richard F.Conneaut Lake Park: the First 100 Years. Fairview Park, OH: Amusement Park Books. 1992. 175p. B&W Photos.
A history of the park published in its centennial year.
Check availability at Amazon.com.

Butler, Lynn H. and Manbeck, John B.Coney Island Kaleidoscope. Wilsonville, OR: Beautiful America. 1991. xii,108p. Color Photos.
Book of art photos (i.e.: blurred and color altered so as to acheive an almost painting-like effect) of modern Coney Island with history and commentary.
Out of print. Search for a used copy at Powells.com.

Cameron, James M. and Bordessa, RonaldWonderland Through The Looking Glass. Maple, Ontario: Belsten. 1981. 136p. Some B&W Photos and Drawings.
History of the plans and protests surrounding the building of Canada's Wonderland theme park near Toronto (now Paramount's Canadas Wonderland).
Check availability at Amazon.com.

Collins, Larry K. and Lorna31 Months in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park. New York: iUniverse. 2005. 220p. Some B&W Photos.
This is the story of a California couple that relocated to Osaka to work on the Universal Studios Japan theme park. Includes stories of the complications of constructing a major themed entertainment project as well as their challenges in adjusting to a foreign culture.
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Dorman, Bennett W.Savin Rock: An Illustrated History. North Haven, CT:
Photo Restoration & Design. 1998. 255p. B&W Photos.
Primarily a collection of photographs, with some text, from the
Savin Rock amusement park and the surrounding area in West Haven, Connecticut.
No availability at Amazon.com.

Everett, Glenn D.Fun At The Old Cedar Point. Rutland, VT: Academy Books. 1989. 154p. Some B&W Photos. Walks us through what a visit to the park was like in the 1930's, with stops at all the attractions.
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Francis, David and DianeCleveland Amusement Park Memories. Cleveland, OH: Gray & Company. 2004. 128p. Many B&W photos.
A history of Cleveland, Ohio amusement parks with chapters on Euclid Beach Park, Luna Park, Geauga Lake, and Puritas Springs Park. Shorter sections cover White City, Memphis Kiddie Park, Geneva-on-the-Lake, the Cleveland Zoo Kiddie Park, and a general short round-up of other parks. Includes a list of other books (most written by these same authors) for further reading.
Check availability at Amazon.com,
or Amazon UK.

Francis, David W. and Diane DeMaliLuna Park: Cleveland's fairyland of pleasure. Fairview Park, OH: Amusement Park Books. 1996. 157p. Many B&W Photos.
The story of this lost Ohio park that operated from 1905 to 1929, an imitator of the Coney Island original.
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Francis, David W. and Diane DeMaliOhio's amusement parks in vintage postcards. Chicago: Arcadia. 2002. 128p. Many B&W photos.
A history of Ohio's parks from 1895 through the 1960's as told through postcard photographs with captions. Includes Cedar Point, Euclid Beach, Idora Park,
and many less known and long gone parks. From the Postcard History Series.
Check availability at Amazon.com,
or Amazon UK.

Francis, David W. and Diane DeMali, Scully, Robert J., Sr.Wildwood By The Sea: the history of an American resort. Fairview Park, OH: Amusement Park Books. 1998. xi,256p. Many B&W, and some color, Photos.
A history of the amusement piers here on the Jersey Shore from the 1800's to today.
Check availability at Amazon.com,
or Amazon UK.

Futrell, Jim.Amusement parks of Pennsylvania. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. 2002. xii,212p. B&W Photos.
Includes a short history of amusement parks in general as well as a history of Pennsylvania's parks. The state's major existing parks are profiled
in detail with individual histories and a visitors guide, and there is also a chapter on lesser known parks. Includes an index of major rides operating in
Pennsylvania and a bibliography.
Check availability at Amazon.com,
or Amazon UK.

Gargiulo, VincePalisades Amusement Park: A Century of Fond Memories. NJ: Rutgers. 1995. xvi,155p. Many B&W and some Color Photos.
The history of New Jersey's fabled defunct amusement park, from the 1800's to its end in the 1970's.
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or Amazon UK.

Jacques, Charles J., Jr.Hersheypark: The Sweetness of Success. Jefferson, OH: Amusement Park Journal. 1997. ix,221p. Many B&W and some Color Photos.
Story of the park for Milton Hershey's chocolate factory workers that became a major theme park.
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or Amazon UK.

Kane, Martin and LauraGreetings From Bertrand Island Amusement Park. Charleston, SC: Arcadia. 2000. 128p. Many B&W and some color photos.
History and a collection of photographs about this trolley park at Lake Hopatcong, NJ.
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or Amazon UK.

Kasson, John F.Amusing the Million: Coney Island at the Turn of the Century. NY: Hill and Wang. 1978. 120p. Many B&W Photos.
History of the rise of New York's seaside playground.
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or Amazon UK.

Morrell, Robert S.Winds of Imagination: Morrell Family Attractions flight of fancy. NY: The Newcomen Society of the United States. 1991. 24p. B&W Photos.
Pamphlet containing the text of an address delivered in 1990 by the founder of Glen, New Hampshire's Story Land park on his attraction's history. (Newcomen publication 1350.)
Out of print.

Register, WoodyThe Kid of Coney Island: Fred Thompson and the Rise of American Amusements. NY: Oxford. 2001. xi, 400p. B&W Photos.
Biography of Fred Thompson, theatrical producer and co-founder of Coney Island's Luna Park, which uses him as a symbol of the eternal child fueling the
growth of the culture of consumption.
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or Amazon UK.

Siegel, Alan A.Smile: A Picture History of Olympic Park 1887-1965. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers U. Press. 1995 (First published by The Irvington Historical Society 1983). 176p. Many B&W Photos.
A history of this New Jersey park with text, many photos, and news article reprints.
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or Amazon UK.

Young, EricThe Giant Dipper: A Pictorial History. San Diego, CA: Amusement Park Publications. 1991. Color and B&W Photos.
San Diego, California's Giant Dipper, built by Prior and Church in 1925, has been through fire, closings, and neglect, only to
finally be restored to its former glory.
Check availability at Amazon.com.